Improvement in apparatus for measuring- liquids



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Letters Patent No. 96,340, dated 'November 2, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR' MEASURING LIQUIDS."

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PERSON NOYES, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in the Apparatus for Pumpingor Drawing-and Measuring Liquids, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figures 1, 2, and 3, each represents a vertcal'central section, figs. 1 and 3 as applied and used with an oil-jar or can, and lig. 2 with a cask or barrel.

Figure 4 represents a vertical central section of a portion of the top of an oil-jar, with the conical cover D, showing the manner of applying and using the return-tube b and pump, without the use of the lower return or tunnel-top tube F, seen in ligs. 2 and 3; Aalso,.in A. v A Y Figures 5 and 6, a central section and top end view, the lat-ter being more particularly designed for applying the 'apparatus to a cask, as shown in fig. 2.

Figure 7 represents a side elevation of the measuring-tank, shown in figs. 1, 2, or 3, with a central conducting or return-tube, l, which supports the tank when the apparatus is used for pumping from a cask, as shown, and conducts the overflow of liquid from the measure back into the cask through the lower return' tube F.

Figure 8 represents a bottom end View of the bunghole bushing L, seen in' fig. 2.

Figures 9, 10, 1l, 12, and 13, represent each a horizontal section-tig'. 9 on the line A B of lig. 1; iig. `10 on the line C D of figs. 2, 3, or 7; tig. 1l on the lineI E F of iig. 1, except one-half of the `grati-ng; iig. 12 on the line Gr H of lig. 2; and lig. 13 on the line'l K of fig. 1, except that in figs. 2 and 9 a tubularglass, 1l, is shown, instead of the flat glass G, shown in fig. 7.

Figure 14 represents a bottom end view of the conical cover D, trom or above the line Y Z of fig. 1 or 2.

This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for pumping or drawing and measuring oils or other liquids. lt is designed to be u sedin manufactoiies, machine-shops, stores, or other places where facility, convenience, neatness, and economy in measunng and dealing out oils, or other liquids, are objects of some importance.

In construct-ing my improved pumping and meas-` uring-apparatus, as shown in iig. 1, I take an ordinary suction-pump, the tube a of which'may be of wood or metal, or any other material; but for convenience in fastening some of the parts to the pump-tube, as in the present instance, I use common sheet-tin.

'- From the top, or near the top of this pump-tube,

and extending downward a suitable distance, a conducting-tube, b, surrounds the tube a, leaving a space, d, between the two tubes.

This space d is closed at the top, but the lower end is left open, except some small st( ys, c, which hold the inner tube centrally and steadily within the outer one. These stays c, and the manner of employing the tubes above named, ai'emorc clearly shownin iig. 4, also in figs. 5, 6, and 12, the latter being a section ol' tig. 2, on the line G H thereof.

Surrounding the top portion of thc tube b is a measuring-tank, A, the bottom of which is fastened to, and made water-tightaround the outside of the tube, while the top of the tank rises above the top of the. tube, and is closed by a cover, f.

Through the bottom ofthe tank, and near one side, a hole, 2, is-made, and draught or outlet-tube, h, surrounds this hole, and projects downward and out.-

warmas shown, so as to serve as a convenient conductor for oil from the tank or measure to a small can, k, or a jug, held beneath it.

Above the bottom l of the tank, a valve, ym, covers the hole 2, before described, and this valve is lifted by to a horizontal position, as shown in lig. 2, ra-ises the valve m., and holds it up while the content-s of the measuring-tank, or any part thereof, are discharged through the tube h. The handle of the cam ,is then raised to a vertical position, when the spiral spring E presses the rod n and the valve m down on to its seat, around the hole 2 through the bottom ofthe tank.

In tig. 10, I have shown a section of a tank, divided into three compartments A', cach of which serves as a measure of a different capacity.

' The tank shown in iig. 1, a section of whichis` shown in lig. 9, has no compartments. In the former,v the liquid is pumped up from the jar or the Cask, and

discharged Yinto either compartments through the nose p of the pump, shown in lig. 2 or 3, and the tank or thepump is moved round to bring the nose of the pump over any compartment in the series.

The quantity each compartment shall hold, for ac-l curate measurement, may be graduated by the height of the partitions gor by notching, as at 17, the top' edge of each or either partition, allowing the surplus 'oil from a filled me asure or compartment to flow over into the next compartment to be measured. O1', it' desired, it may be discharged, by raising the valve in` suchcompartment, and allowing the liquid to pass through the tube h into a receiver, o r back into the cask or the jar, through the platform grating G and the conical cover D, and 4through the lower conducting-tube F.

In the latter case, viz, as shown in fig. 1, the oil is pumpedup, as in the former, but here the oil flows over the top of the pump-tube, and the upper conducting-tube, into the tank, where the quantity of oil is graduated lby its height in the measure, and indicated` by points, arranged to cover, or partly4 cover, a verti# cal glass, G, set in the side of the tank, asshown in ti 7. I

gThe points should have marks set against each to indicate the quantity of voil in the tank and being measured. For example, the lower point indicating one quart,and marked 1 qt.; the next lowest point, 2Yqts.; the next, 3 qts., and so on; or there may be subdivisions or marks to indicate smaller quantities, and thus measure any quant-ity desired.

The last above-desc1ibed parts or devices, which will be recognized as figured gauges, to indicate the measurement o f oil `orliquids, are old and well known, and Imake no claim for them, 'or other like elements hereinafter described.- I

In measuring liquids in a tank or measure having no compartments, as shown in figs. 1 and 9, I form openings, 3, through the outer tube b, and these openings are covered by sliding gates g, operated by vertical4 rods 5 passing through the cover f of' the tank.

VVheu a small quantity of liquid is to be' measured, a sufficient quantity is pumped up into the tank, and the gate which covers the lo'wer opening 3 is slid upward to uncover said opening, and the surplus liquid allowed to pass off through the space d, and out at the lower end 4 of the'tube b` into the jar J, the. liquid remaining in the tank being -a gill, pint, or quart, or other quantity which the tank is or maybe graduated to hold when filled to the lower side of said lower` opening. A

A can, jug, or other receiver, is then placed beneath' the lower end of the outlet-,tube llt, and the handle of the rocking cam turned downwai, which raises the valve m, and the liquid passes fi m the meas-ure or tank into the can or other receiver.

In figs. 2 and 9,1 have shown tubular'or cylindrical indicators, H, (which should be of glass.) That in fig. 2 is marked to indicate small quantities ot' liquid, to be measured and drawn from the tank.

Beneath the lower end of the tubular indicator, or

in a space made for the purpose, a valve, lm, like those cover; and the top end is formed convenient for lifting the valve, or it may be connected with a suitable cam, or other device, which will facilitate theopera-v tion of lifting the valve, which is generally closed by a spring, E, as are the others before described.

In measuring liquids in` a compartment-tank, instead of' allowing the overflow or surplus of' liquid to run over the top of' the partitions, as before described in reference to figs 2 and 7, the top of the tube c, which surrounds the pump-tube u, may be notched, as at 6, beneath the collar 7, and the surplus liquid allowed to return to the jar or the cask, through the space d, into and through the central return-tube I and the lower tube It.

.Lhis tube F may be made as shown in figs. 5 and 6, and applied to the lower part of thecouical coverV 'D by locking-lips or projections i, extending inward section in fig. 3; and in either form, this conical cover and tube F may be used in a Ijar or can, as in fig. 3, or in acask or barrel, asin hg. 2, by first applying (by `screwing orby'driviug) a bushing, L, into the hung-hole of such cask,.`and by inserting the tube Ff D, and downward inside of a collar or ring, e, supported by bridge-work N, secured in the lower end of the conical portion D, and thisholds the lower end of the tube kI. n

The central portion of the latter tube is supported by a coilar, 9, secured to the `top of the grating, and

fitting the outside of the tube, and by a ange, 10, projecting from the exterior of the latter.

The measuring-tank A rests on the top of the enlarged or tunnel-sliaped upper Aendof t-he tube I, and

' is held iu position by a circular flange, o, which depende from the bottom of the tank. i

The pump-tube a is insert-ed through the top of the tank, (the cover f being on the pump-1nd,) and through its centre'downward through the tubes I and F, and into the cask, the cover f pressed down, and the apparatus is ready for operation, either for pumping and measuring liquids, and discharging the same into oilerscans, or other receivers; or, if desired,:for pumping the whole ora portion of' the liquid contained in la cask, and (with or without measuring) discharging it into one ormore jars or casks of smaller capacity;

or for pumping and discharging the contents of one,

two, or more small casks or jars into one larger one.

This is done by the useof a zigzag pipe, M, applied `to one end of an outlet or discharge-pipe, h, raising the valve which covers the outlet, as in lig. 2, and hy turning the nose p of the pump toa position to dis charge `the pumped-up liquid into the compartment where the valve is raised, allowing such liquid to pass fromjthe compartment beneath the raised valve through the tube hl andthe pipe M, and out at its lower enduz, and into a jar set in the position of that shown 'Y may be done fromany one or more/of the others,

' All the above-described operations of pumping'and discharging;r liquid, and filling cans or jars or casks, may be perfbrmed iu a similar manner by the appa- 4ratus shown iu fig. l, by increasing the number oi'.out

let-tubes and valves and other suitable parts.

' In pumping, or in pumping and measuring oil or other liquid'l'om a fiat-bottom jar, I generally employ the common' strainer P, which may be of woven wire or perforated tin, or anyothcr well-known strainer material, and no other strainer is necessary in any part of the apparatus.

In pumping liquid from a fiat-bottom jar, as shown in fig. 3, it is impossible to` fully empty the jar by pumping. A portion of the liquid will, of' necessity, be left in the bottom, as the lower end of' the pumptube must be notched or perforated, to allow the liquid to be drawn in by the suction when the pump'is op erated. l

To overcome this difficulty, and to provide for more fully emptying the jar, I raise the bottom R and sink the step S, making the bottom dishiug and lowest at and around the sunken step, and insert lthe strainer and the lower end of the pump into the step. A jar thus constructed,'with the sunken step and dishing bottom, may be more fully pumped out, or emptied by pumping, as the smallest quant-ity of liquid iu the lower part of the jar will run toward the centre of the dishing bottom and into the step, which-need be but a trifiellarger than the pump-tube, and from which step nearly all the liquid may be drawn by the pump.

The platform grating C may be of woven wire, or of slats or grates, with theirV upper and lower edges sharp, or square grates, setwith their corners upward,

as seen in tig. 4, at one side ofthe conical cover I), ory

in fig. 11, so that any oil or other liquid dropped or spilled on the platform, or passed through' it from a tank or measure, may not be retained on the platform to corrode or gum up the grating, or to evaporate and waste, or be liable to ignition, explosion, or other objectionable or disastrous results which might occur if the platform were of any perforated at-surfacematerial, so commonly used for similar purposes.

This improved apparatus, whether used with a cask or a jar, or other liquid-holder, is provided with a cap, T, which is fitted to the conical cover D of the jar, as clearly shown in fig. 1. This cap encloses the wholeitop-portiou of the apparatus, and is fastened to the cover by a staple, c, a hasp, c, and a padlock, W,- so that no liquid can be drawn from the jar or the cask by the apparatus in the absence of the person havingthe key.

'This cap serves also to prevent dust or dirt getting in or upon the tank A or the grating C, and prevents the escape of volatile liquid by evaporation, and reuders the whole apparatus comparatively safe from lire.

When the cap T is removed, there can be no great danger of fire being communicated t'o the oilor other liquid from the dame ofa lamp, as the cover f of the tank prevents such an operation, and it would seem hardly possible that suflicient vapor for ignition could rise through the space d lbetween the lower returntube F and the pump-tube a.

When the fiat glass G is used with points to indicate the height of liquid in the measure or tank, I generally apply a reflector, y, within the tank, and a short distance back of the' glass, so that the top line or surface ofthe liquid in the measure may be readily seen between the glass and the reflector, the latterof which may be a strip Aof bright tin, or other suitable material. A

When the tubular glass indicator' is employed with a valve and operating-rod and outlet-tube h', as in iig. 2, the sliding gates g and rods 5 may be dispensed with; and I consider one equivalent to the other, and both very convenient iu measuring liquids, as described.

liquid-holder, in such cellar, and measured audpnt up in such upper room. By this means, oil or other liquid peratnre prevents rapid evaporation, thereby economizing room in upper apartments, preventing waste and loss of liquid, and offensive odors, and keeping such `upper apartment comparatively clean.

When the pump and the measuring-apparatus are removed from the cask and the jar, and the loose grating C removed from the t'op of thecouical cover D, (or not,) said conical jar-cover, with the tube F, combined as shown in figs. 2 or 3, may be used as a tunnel for any ordinary purpose.

I am aware that valveshave been raised from their seats by cams, and forced hack by spiral springs.

vI am Aalso aware that 'a pump has .been used, the noseor outlet of which could beturned to discharge liquid on either side of the pump.

I disclaim having invented either of these devices.

I am also aware that the combination of a pumptop, provided with a measuring-gauge, and the spout or nose, provided with a stop-cock, are old and well known; and I disclaim such, or any other combination as arranged in connection with the pump and the can, in the application of Eli F. Wilder; but

What I do claim, and desire to' secure by Letters Patent, isl 1. A pumping and measuring-appamtns, described, all the parts of which are constructed,combined, and arranged in the manner and for the purpose Specified.

.2. The tank A, in combination with the pump-tube a and the return-tube I), having outlets 3 and gates g, as described, and for the purpose specified.

3. The return-tube b, having outlets 3 and gates g, when combined with the pump-tube a, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with the tank A and with the tube b, having outlets 3 and gates g, or with thereturn-tube I and the tube u of the removable pump, and with the conical cover 1),coustructed and adapted for the purposes described, of a platfbrrn grating, (l, iu the manner and for the purpose specified.

' I )ERSON NOYES.

\Vtuesses JOHN E. CRANE, (uns. HUNT.

paratus, as described,) may be-of suflicient length to and oil or other liquid pumped up from a Cask or other may be constantly kept in a cellar, where the low tem-- 

